Just ten miles south of Swindon is the largest henge monument in Britain: the Avebury stone circle, which is managed by the National Trust. You you can wander around the stones and experience the mystery and mystique of this prehistoric wonder.
Avebury is one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe and spread over a vast area, much of which is under National Trust protection. The great stone circle, encompassing part of the village of Avebury, is enclosed by a ditch and external bank and approached by an avenue of stones. Many of the stones were re-erected in the 1930s by the archaeologist Alexander Keiller. The site museum, including a new exhibition in the 17th Century thatched threshing barn, presents the archaeological story of Avebury. Finds from the site and interactive and audio-visual displays are used to tell the story of the monuments and the people who have helped to reveal their past.
West of Avebury, the Iron Age earthwork of Oldbury Castle crowns Cherhill Down, along with the conspicuous Lansdowne Monument. With the spectacular folds of Calstone Coombes, this area of open downland provides wonderful walking opportunities.
See t
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk).
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